You are over the pain of diagnosis, and have accepted the fact that your child is autistic. A treatment plan has been set up that you are satisfied with, so, what's next? You need to learn how to live with your little one at home, and keep your sanity. Today I will give you some helpful hints for your mental health and that of your family.

You will have to change your expectations because one of the biggest challenges to overcome is that your child will probably never be on par with his/her peers as far as development and appropriate behavior goes. Nor will he/she become the lawyer that you had hoped, but there are attainable goals, they are just not the ones you had dreamed of. With this in mind, begin with small steps as far as expectations. Be patient because with your help, your child can reach his/her unique potential.

It is important to monitor sensory input since many autistic little ones become agitated by over stimulation. Learn to interpret body language so that you know when your child is becoming overwhelmed. For example, if he/she starts screaming, rocking, holding their ears, etc., a tranquil retreat will help. You can accomplish this very easily by setting up a safety zone or creating a private space for your child where he/she can relax, and feel secure. You may also want to set up  boundaries that your child will comprehend. You can use visual clues like colorful tape to mark the areas that are off limits. If your little one is prone to tantrums you will have to child proof your home so that there are no accidents.

Channel unusual actions into socially acceptable behavior. If your child engages in spinning, climbing on furniture, rocking to and fro, etc., try to turn this around into something that is acceptable, like climbing on a jungle gym, or spinning on a tire swing. Don't take him/her to the grocery store if you know that it will cause discomfort and inappropriate responses.

When you want your child to do something, make sure that you give simple, step by step directions verbally, visually and by offering physical support, as needed. Since autistic children have difficulty understanding facial expressions, body language and voice tone, you need to be very concrete and explicit when offering feedback and directions.

Always reward good behavior with some type of positive reinforcement. Try to "catch your child doing something good". Be aware of his/her strengths and build on them so that you can tap into ways to help them succeed. Allow plenty of time for practice. Give praise when their behavior is appropriate, or when they have learned a new skill, be very specific about what you are complimenting. Find out what they would like for a reward and give it to them when deserved. Pay attention to the positive rather than the negative whenever you can.

Remember that consistency is the key to success while helping your child to learn. Talk to the therapist and try to mimic the techniques that are being used in therapy. Set up a schedule that you will be able to stick to since autistic children thrive in a highly structured environment. Set up a routine with regular times for eating, therapy, school, and bedtime. Avoid schedule changes whenever you can so that your little one feels safe and secure.  If a change in routine is unavoidable, prepare in advance for it.

Since you know your child best, help siblings by teaching them about autism. Once they understand how to relate to each other, life at home will be much easier. Make sure that the family interacts with your autistic little one in such a way as to get a positive response from him/her. By acting in this manner, your autistic child will learn how to relate to others in an acceptable way. Getting along and acting appropriately in the home setting helps build socialization skills for the outside world.

Spend time having fun with your child. There has to be life after therapy and school. You know the old saying,"all work and no play makes Roger a dull person". Think of ways to play together. Most importantly, enjoy your child's company.

Lastly, you have to stop worrying about what others will think or say. They may see autistic behavior as weird, odd, or unruly. It really doesn't matter what they think, you know that you are doing the best that you can. "Normal" behavior is relative anyways.

There is a saying that pain eases with time, so it goes with autism, the early years are the most difficult, as your little one gets older, things will improve. So keep the faith and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Remember to be patient and stay optimistic, things are not hopeless. Your child  has a lifetime to learn and grow. You can help to make it happen.